Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair analysis is recognized as an invaluable method for identifying substance use, including drugs and alcohol. It chronicles prolonged exposure to such substances by embedding biomarkers within the hair's fibers as they grow. Gathered at the scalp level, hair samples can reflect drug and alcohol consumption over a span of roughly three months. Hair collection is straightforward, difficult to tamper with, and convenient to transport.
A 1.5-inch segment consisting of around 200 hair strands, equivalent to the thickness of a #2 pencil, provides 100mg of hair - optimal for both screening and verification. For EtG, additional analyses, or tests surpassing 10 panels, 150mg of hair is advisable. Using a jeweler’s scale for weighing the sample is suggested. When scalp hair isn’t available, an equivalent amount of body hair may be used. The term "head hair" specifically denotes scalp hair, while "body hair" includes other types like facial or axillary.
Process Overview
The laboratory procedures to obtain a drug test result encompass four primary stages: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning incorporates the initial integration of a sample into a lab's database, ensuring the sample's sealing and shipment were proper, assigning a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any remaining data entry not covered by an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening conducts a preliminary assessment for substances of abuse. As Screening offers an economical solution to negate drug use in most samples, a positive screen must undergo confirmation to hold up in legal settings. Samples that screen positive require further confirmation.
Should a sample test positive during Screening, additional hair from the initial collection is designated for Extraction. At this stage, drugs are extracted from hair at lesser concentrations than with other methods (e.g., urine, oral fluid), presenting a unique challenge in hair drug screening.
GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS is used to confirm any positive screening findings. Before confirmation, all presumptively positive samples are cleansed as needed. The entire sequence from Accessioning to Confirmation is examined under the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair classification and the ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Commonly mislabeled as "hair follicle tests," these evaluations assess the hair shaft rather than the follicle beneath the scalp.
Hair follicle testing in Alma, IL, outperforms traditional urine tests by offering superior detection accuracy and reliability. The method allows for a wider detection window, providing a more comprehensive view of an individual's drug use history. This makes it an invaluable tool for employers and professionals who require thorough and dependable testing methods.
Compared to urine tests, hair follicle testing significantly reduces the chances of false negatives, ensuring that drug use is accurately identified. This aspect is particularly beneficial for organizations with stringent no-drug policies, ensuring compliance and safety in the workplace.
The extended detection window of hair follicle testing offers unparalleled insight into drug use over a 90-day period. This extensive timeframe empowers employers in Alma, IL, to gain a comprehensive understanding of an individual's substance use history, going far beyond what traditional tests can offer.
Employers can leverage this protracted detection period to make more informed decisions regarding prospective employees or existing staff. This approach promotes a safe and controlled work environment by identifying drug use patterns effectively.
Hair follicle testing in Alma, IL, significantly mitigates the risks associated with sample tampering and adulteration. The method's inherent design makes it almost impossible to cheat, providing reliable and unquestionable results that employers can trust.
By choosing hair follicle testing, organizations can ensure that the results obtained are genuine, helping maintain integrity throughout the drug testing process. This level of authenticity is crucial in upholding workplace safety and compliance with drug-free policies.
Accredited Drug Testing provides convenient access to hair follicle testing across nationwide centers, including local options in Alma, IL. This network ensures quick and hassle-free access to essential testing services for all individuals and organizations.
Our widespread locations make it easy to access the testing you need, whether in Alma or beyond. The convenience offered by our nationwide reach ensures testing is a seamless process, enhancing accessibility for all.
Ordering and receiving hair follicle test results in Alma, IL, is a straightforward and confidential process. The simplicity of the testing procedure addresses privacy concerns and ensures that participants can complete the process with ease.
The discreet nature of hair follicle testing provides assurance that all personal information is handled with care. This convenience and commitment to confidentiality emphasize the value of choosing this testing method.
In Alma, IL, hair follicle testing offers competitive pricing structures along with fast turnaround times. This approach provides excellent value for businesses of all sizes, ensuring that quality testing services are accessible without breaking the bank.
The affordability, combined with the efficiency of hair testing, ensures that organizations receive the value they expect. With rapid result delivery, businesses can make timely, informed decisions with confidence.
In Alma, IL, hair follicle drug tests provide fast and reliable results. Their high accuracy in detecting substance use is unparalleled, making them a preferred choice for those seeking precise outcomes. This testing method not only assures swift results but also maintains a high standard of accuracy, ensuring that all detected substances are reported with precision.
Speed and precision are key advantages of hair follicle testing. By delivering accurate results quickly, this method offers peace of mind for both employers and individuals. Alma's commitment to precision in testing makes hair follicle tests a dependable option for accurate substance detection.
For employers in Alma, IL, hair follicle testing ensures strict compliance with workplace drug-free policies. This testing method reduces legal risks associated with substance abuse, offering peace of mind by promoting a safer workplace environment.
Implementing hair follicle testing serves as a deterrent against drug use, fostering a culture of responsibility and safety among employees. Employers can rely on this method to maintain high compliance standards and protect their workforce effectively.
